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“A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22 (RSV)

Here is a science we can all love: 

Ten minutes of hearty belly laughter equals 30 minutes of rowing a boat. 

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’d rather laugh than row. To be clear, no one is recommending we replace an exercise workout with laughter, but it will fire up our abs and get our endorphins flowing. It’s pretty much common sense, that if our mood is good, we can do everything better.

Laughter improves our mental health by reducing the production of the stress hormone, Cortisol. Deep belly laughter is also like a mini abdominal workout. Hearty laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body’s feel good hormones, which reduces pain perception and boosts the immune system, all of which contributes to an overall sense of wellness. Human babies will laugh long before they can ever speak. That’s something to think about.

In a particular research study, one patient who lives with chronic pain, found that 10 minutes of genuine hearty laughter allowed him two hours of pain free sleep, where he previously was in continual pain. Laughter is now scientifically linked to better pain tolerance. 

A polite chuckle at a lame joke will not suffice, because this research refers to deep belly laughs that leave you gasping for air and wiping tears from your eyes. When we laugh, our bodies go through a complex combination of muscle contractions and respiratory changes, which afterward, acts as a medicine for the mind, body and spirit.

We are currently living in a stressful, confusing and very divided society. We are constantly bombarded with news of violence and tragedy. Too much bad news leads to a downcast spirit, as described in today’s scripture. While we remain proactive by praying, we also need to know when to walk away from too much negativity and find a way to lighten up our spirits. Both scripture and science tells us that whatever makes us laugh is like medicine and whatever brings us joy, can also bring healing

The other day I was walking my dog and my neighbor was walking hers. We stopped to chat, and I asked how her husband was doing after his medical procedure, and she asked me how my son was doing. She was going through a tough period as a caregiver. As I listened to her, I could relate and sympathize as she vented some of her frustrations.

While we were talking about everything, her Border Collie started circling me until his leash had me completely corralled. He wound his leash around my legs like a Barber shop pole, so that I couldn’t move. I’ve heard that it’s the nature of Border Collies to corral people and other animals. As we tried to unwind his leash from around my legs, the whole scene suddenly looked like a slapstick comedy, and we both burst into laughter. 

Afterward, I realized that we both experienced a medicinal moment. My neighbor and I both live with some type of stress, as do most people. Her dog provided a brief moment of hearty laughter for us, which was like a dose of medicine, causing our endorphins to flow. 

Animals don’t overthink good news or bad news, they just live moment by moment for life’s simple joys. If animals can teach us anything, it’s to lighten up and just laugh. Instead of permitting the bad news in the world to dry up our bones, and leave us downcast, we can pursue a cheerful heart that does our body, mind and spirit good, like a medicine.

Lord, help us to maintain cheerful hearts, while we keep offering our prayers to heaven. Help us discover the medicine of laughter by focusing on the simple joys in life. Amen

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 (RSV)

Every journey in Christ begins with sincere prayers and a heart that is ever changing according to God’s upward calling. Our response to the upward call of God is a life long one. When we think about it, God has kept each one of us under His wing of protection in order to bring us this far, at this precise time for whatever His divine purpose is in our lives. 

There is so much that we have no control over in this world, but we can always control our attitude. 

St. Augustine said “If you aspire to great things, begin with the little things.” If the intent of our heart is to seek God’s will, and our attitude is to pursuit His upward call, then that attitude is the little thing that we can begin with. 

When I was 20 years old, I visited a church and there was a woman there, a widow in her sixties, named Leona. She was a long time parishioner, who greeted and spoke to every visitor, long before official “Greeters” were assigned to do so. She radiated with warmth and an unforgettable presence, as if she just came down from the same mountain that Moses did, when his face was so radiant that others were afraid to look at him. 

Leona had that same “other world”kind of glow, and when she looked into my eyes, I knew she was looking into my soul. She radiated the presence of God in a way that left me impressed by both her holiness, and God’s love. She was blessed with many spiritual gifts, and she used them freely to impart words of wisdom to people, in whatever way she felt led. I will never forget how her face literally glowed.

Leona spoke to me one day, with a simple message about God wanting to take more precedence in my life. It was both frightening and awesome, but afterward I had no doubt that the Spirit of God was speaking to me, while revealing His love through her. She inspired me to pursue a deeper kind of faith, instead of settling for good enough. Leona went on to be with the Lord in 2001, at the age of 88, but the memory of her radiant love and wisdom still remains with me. 

There is an upward call of God to all believers, to give ourselves to God in pursuit of whatever heavenly goal lies ahead for us. It’s easy to see so much turmoil and chaos in the world, but we must remember to keep raising our eyes upward to God, to listen to His words. 

God’s upward call is to people of all nations, saying;

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

We are called by His name and our land definitely needs healing of its wicked ways, so we embrace God’s words, seek humility, and pray for healing. Meanwhile, we continue to find inner peace by taking refuge in Him, as we press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Lord, thank you for keeping us safe in these present times, so that we may fulfill our purpose and calling. Help us to keep looking upward, to seek humility and pray for the healing of our nation. Amen

Leona’s son is a well known Christian artist today. One of Ron Dicianni’s many paintings is shown below.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Luke 10:33-34 (NIV)

I remember as a child, watching a TV show, with my grandmother, which was her favorite show. It was kind of a hybrid between a game show and a reality show that aired until 1964, and was called “Queen for a day.” If any readers are old enough, they might remember it. 

Each contestant was asked to describe their pitiful situation of hardship, whether financial, emotional or a health problem. Some had a need for medical equipment for themselves or their chronically ill child. Others might have needed a hearing aid, a new washing machine, or a refrigerator.

Strange as it seemed to me, my grandmother loved watching as each woman described her dilemma with intense emotion. After each of the contestants told their sad stories, a live audience voted with applause. The woman who received the most applause was crowned Queen for a day. Besides a crown, she received many prizes based on her story and particular needs. It was a reality show long before reality shows ever existed. 

If I could rewrite that show today, I would have the contestants be good Samaritans who helped someone overcome their misfortune, and get back on their feet again. It wouldn’t be about prizes and gifts, but rather recognizing stories of kindness and voting for the best example, by crowning someone Queen or King for a day. I’m sure Jesus would have voted for the Good Samaritan in His own gospel story.

Whether Jesus knew that good Samaritan in real life, or told a fictional story to make a point, it’s clear that He thought very highly of what the Samaritan did. Not only did he bandage the man’s wounds but he carried him to a nearby inn and paid for his stay, to rest and recuperate. 

We all know real life stories of good people like that Samaritan, who go the extra mile to help someone. I know good Samaritans who help people every week, giving their time and resources to help those who are struggling with a dilemma of some kind. 

I remember a true story about a homeless man, named Bugsy, who I once wrote about in a meditation last year. He lived in a brick bus shelter on a street corner in Chicago for many years. I spoke with him a few times and once bought him a few pairs of sweat pants. I don’t live in that area and only pass by once in a while. I was happy to learn that many people got to know him and helped him out in different ways.

Bugsy was different from other homeless people, because he never held a sign, or stood in the street begging. In fact, he never asked anyone for anything. He had a limp and a cane, but cheerfully lived in his bus shelter home. I once asked him if he’d be better off in a homeless shelter and he smiled saying, 

“This is my home.” Many people befriended Bugsy and regularly stopped by, to give him money, because of his pleasant demeanor. 

One day, last winter, I drove by and the bus shelter was completely empty, with no sign of Bugsy or his belongings. I was concerned and wanted to find out what happened, so I decided to google, “Where is the homeless man who lives in the bus shelter on Cumberland and Forest Preserve drive?” A link popped up which led me to a neighborhood Facebook site. 

Many people in the neighborhood were posting comments, asking the same question that I asked. One person who knew what happened , finally answered. They said that a good Samaritan brought him to a motel and paid for him to stay there during the arctic cold days of winter. Bugsy must have been very ill, because when they later inquired about him, the police confirmed that Bugsy died in that motel room.

It made me very sad to think of Bugsy dying alone, without getting the medical care he needed, but I was also thankful that there are good Samaritans today, still doing what Jesus so admired. 

God bless Bugsy, and that modern day good Samaritan, whether it was a man or a woman, he or she will receive a crown in heaven one day. 

Lord, open our eyes and our hearts to see how we can do our part to help others, as good Samaritans today. Amen

“Though the mountains be shaken

 and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassionon you.”

Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

Everyone has something that they hope will remain steadfast and unfailing. We all hope to have unfailing health, unfailing youth, unfailing financial security, unfailing relationships, and unfailing prowess in some sport or skill. 

God doesn’t promise that all things will be unfailing and steadfast. In fact, most of His promises in scripture are conditional promises. Our relationship with God is a covenantal relationship, where God prescribes ways to abide in Him, so that we can live a life of peace and well being. 

Throughout scripture, God declares to His people that if they do what He asks, they will reap certain results. The conditional promises of God are the groundwork of our faith, leading to obedience, prayer, and seeking first His will, in order to experience His blessings in our lives.

There are multiple verses in scripture that start out with “If”…. and finish with “then”.  Those “IF-THEN”promises span across the old and new testament. As Christians, we look to Jesus, who gave the following promises out of many others:

If you seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, then all these things will be given to you as well.

If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, then ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

If you forgive other people when they sin against you, then your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 

God always has a covenant system of conditions for His people to abide in. His conditional promises do not mean that He loves us more when we abide in Him, or less when we don’t. It’s a common deception to believe that God loves us less or more, based on what we do. His love is steadfast and the conditions He gives us, are a formula to give us peace, joy and to benefit us for eternity.

One thing that is not conditional in the many promises of God, is His unfailing, unchanging, steadfast love for us. God loves each of us without any conditions. There is absolutely nothing we can ever do, to cause God to love us any less.

Jesus talked about His father’s love for us, and one of the most popular scriptures was spoken from His own lips:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16)

He also said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15:9)

We can live with total assurance that God loves the world unconditionally. He demonstrated that love through His son, and it was all done before anyone could do anything to earn it or deserve it. 

God still loves people, whether they respond in faith to Him or not. He loves us whether we turn towards Him or wander far away from Him. 

It was this unfailing, unconditional love of God that kept drawing me back, whenever I wandered away from Him, at different times in my life. If everyone knew how much God actually loves them, this world would be a totally different place. 

The church has a mission to the world, which is to demonstrate the unconditional love God has for all people. I believe we all need reminding that only God’s love can change a human heart. It’s the kindness and love of God, that brings a godly type of sorrow, which leads to repentance, true peace and eternal life. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

No one really changes from the outside in, but only from the inside out, and human hearts change in realizing the relentless and unfailing love, God has for us. The greatest revelation of this kind of love is in

the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, His son.

Lord, we pray for the grace to reflect your unfailing love and peace to the world, each day. Thank you for loving us without conditions, and help us to be your light in the world. Amen

“Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no one had wielded an iron tool”.

Joshua 8:30-31 (NASB)

Joshua, who succeeded Moses, built an altar at Mount Ebal, in the manner that Moses commanded. The Lord required that the altar be built with natural stones, meaning uncut, and not hewn with instruments or tools used by human hands. 

Occasionally, something we read in scripture is authenticated by what is later discovered by archeologists. The remnants of that altar were found when Mount Ebal was excavated in 2022.

This requirement to offer uncut stones for an altar, is an interesting one, and I wondered if it contains a message of relevancy for us today. 

If we come to God as we are, natural and uncut, we are like the unhewn stones that Joshua offered on Mount Ebal.

If we try to change ourselves before coming to God, or if we let others carve and shape us as they want, it makes us pre-hewn, cut or carved with tools. Instead of trying to fix ourselves, or let the world carve us according to current trends, we come to God uncut, just as we are, allowing Jesus to carve us into who He wants us to be. 

Abraham is the first example of an unhewn stone, surrendered to God. At the age of 75, God told him to leave his homeland and go to a new land. He believed God, without knowing where he was headed, and his family and friends thought he was crazy. By being an uncut stone, Abraham believed God and was sent on a new mission which brought blessings to many generations who came after him. 

Noah also believed God and built an ark, without seeing a single cloud in the sky. God told him that a flood was coming, and he prepared for it, despite the constant ridicule of his neighbors. Noah and his family were like uncut stones, who offered a new beginning for a post flood world. 

Hannah was a woman of faith who  desperately wanted a child but was barren. Her husband loved her and was content without having children, but she still desired a child, so she went to the temple daily, praying to conceive. The priest noticed her praying with such fervor, that he thought she was drunk, and told her to ‘sober up.’ (1 Samuel 1:14)

Though Hannah was misunderstood by others, God answered her prayer. She gave birth to Samuel, and later dedicated him to full time service in the temple. Hannah was like an uncut stone, and God carved His plan into both Hannah and Samuel’s lives. Samuel grew to become one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. He anointed David as king, who became the ancestor to Jesus, the Messiah.

Abraham, Noah and Hannah all yielded to God in a different way, despite the ridicule of skeptics. 

It’s just a reminder that we are all a part of something bigger than ourselves. All three of them felt misunderstood and alone at times, but they all left a legacy of blessing to the world, by offering themselves to be carved by God’s divine purpose.

Paul said that we are all meant to yield ourselves to God as living sacrifices. (Romans 12:1) Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, over His church in the world, and He is always leading us by example. 

(Ephesians 2:20) 

As Joshua gathered uncut stones, we are gathered by Jesus, carved and hewn by Him, aligning us on the altar of service to God, but it all begins by coming to Him, uncut, just as we are. 

Lord, we want to come first to you, uncut, just as we are, to be carved according to your purpose. Make us a light of truth and love that shines throughout this world, so that all people will respond to you. Amen 

“Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

Acts 12:13-15 (NIV)

This story almost reads like a sitcom, and the main character shares the same name as a sitcom star from a comedy show in the late 70’s, called “Rhoda.”

Even the opening scene begins like a joke. ‘An angel walks into a Roman prison one day’…..

That angel, who was shining like a blinding bright light, passed all the guards around the prison, unseen by anyone. He walked through doors and right into Peter’s dark prison cell. His bright light shone through the cell, but Peter remained sound asleep. When Peter didn’t wake up, the angel hit him on his side, to wake him up, telling him,

“Get up.”

Peter woke up, his chains fell off, and he was escorted out of the prison, to the main iron gate, which magically opened by itself. After passing all the guards again, the angel led Peter in the direction of the house where the disciples were gathered. Then he suddenly disappeared. 

While still trying to process all that just happened, Peter knocked on the front door of the house, where the disciples were inside, praying for him. Rhoda, described as a servant, but was also a disciple, came to answer the door. Hearing Peter’s voice outside the door, she got so excited that she ran back to tell the disciples, without unlocking the door to let him in. 

She joyfully blurted out to everyone that Peter was at the door. The disciples were praying diligently for Peter’s release, but they refused to believe Rhoda’s news. They never even went to the door to see for themselves. They told Rhoda that she either saw an angel or had lost her mind. They were so sure it couldn’t be Peter at the door, knowing he was in a Roman prison. 

There are so many comical moments in the way Luke writes this story. It’s funny how the answer to what is being prayed for, is not believed or accepted, when it finally happens. Perhaps the disciples assumed that Peter’s only chance to be released could be at his trial, which was scheduled for the next day. How easy it is to have pre-conceived ideas of how God should or would answer a prayer. 

Rhoda is the main character, aside from Peter and the angel. She knew it was Peter, the moment she heard his voice, before opening the door to see him. There is nothing comical about the character trait that makes Rhoda different from the rest, and that trait is an ‘expectant heart.’

She heard Peter’s voice, which confirmed her hope before ever opening the door to see him. To have faith like Rhoda, is to pray with an expectant heart, and to believe the slightest whisper of hope, long before we see the actual answer to our prayer. 

Lord, help us to have expectant hearts like Rhoda, by believing the answer to our prayer is on the way, waiting behind the door of our hope. Amen

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers dwell in unity.”

Psalm 133:1 (RSV)

I visited a neighborhood hair salon that a friend once recommended many years ago. After arriving, I learned that the Salon was under new ownership. The current owner is an attractive young Moslem woman from Jordan, who dresses in western style attire and doesn’t cover her head. The receptionist and some of her hairdressers are Assyrian Christians. 

While we were chatting, the owner shared how she respects people of all faiths. She told me that she services both Orthodox Jewish and Moslem women clients, whose religion forbids them to show their hair in public. The orthodox Jewish women who are married, wear wigs or a scarf in public, and the Moslem women wear the hijab scarf to cover their hair. I was amazed at such a melting pot blend of cultures and traditions, all in one salon. 

The owner has a special room with a black curtain for clients who need to have their hair done in privacy. They are led to the special room, behind a black curtain, out of dignity and respect for their religious tradition. Other clients who are not of those religious backgrounds, receive services in the attractively decorated open section of the Salon.

I observed a young Moslem client go behind the black curtain for her appointment. Later, a middle aged orthodox Jewish client arrived, and waited for her appointment to go behind the same black curtain. The owner greets everyone with a warm and friendly attitude, and that Salon is a prototype of peace and unity that the whole world can learn from. 

Four days later, I heard of another example of cross cultural peace and unity. On Labor Day, my childhood friend called me from Israel where he now lives. I wrote previously about Larry, who was a neighbor who lived across the street from me, in Chicago, where we grew up. One day during our primary grade school years, Larry was hit by a car, on the side street where we lived. He was hospitalized in a coma for a few months, but he finally recovered and returned to school. He has weakness and spasms in one arm and walks with a limp, but he was able to finish school up to a few years of college. 

Being Jewish, Larry decided to immigrate to Israel about forty years ago, and he is now retired after working at an Israeli factory that makes the diamond blades for drills, used by surgeons all over the world. 

He told me about a construction project currently being done in his condo building. The government is adding a bomb proof safe room inside every unit of the building, which is a complex five year project. Residents have the option to move out of the building during the construction, but Larry cannot easily do that, since he’s 71 years old, slightly handicapped, and lives alone. He has his groceries delivered these days because the stairs in the building are dangerous to walk on during the renovations. 

All the laborers working on the project are Arab residents of Israel. Larry told me how kind they have all been to him, and how they help him whenever he comes and goes, while climbing the stairs. Despite the inconvenience of the construction period, Larry told me about one very special worker, named Mahmoud. Whenever Larry leaves or returns to his condo, Mahmoud stops what he is doing and helps Larry go up or down the stairs, while carrying his bags or anything he is holding. I was fascinated and touched to hear a true story about such kindness, that crosses religious and cultural barriers. 

Between Larry’s story about Mahmoud’s kindness and the Salon owner who services people with the dignity and respect of their faith, it seemed that God was showing these examples to me for a reason. Peace and unity comes when we see people as individuals, instead of categorizing them into groups. The world is divided and in turmoil, but we can bring a bit of peace and unity to it, by treating every individual with dignity, respect and kindness, just as Jesus did. 

Thinking of the words in today’s Psalm, I said to myself, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters of all faiths can truly dwell together in unity.”

Lord, help us to be kind, respectful, and to do our small part to keep peace and unity across various faith traditions. Give us the humility to show dignity to every individual who is a stranger, just as Jesus did. Amen

“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (RSV)

This is one of my favorite scripture verses, because it answers any and all complaints regarding scriptures that we may find disturbing to read. It’s basically telling us that every scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof and correction. 

I used to become disgusted in reading a few bible stories about incest in the Old Testament, but I learned that whether it disturbs us, or not, all scripture is profitable for teaching and correction, to equip us for every good work, as today’s scripture confirms.

I’ve met people who are disturbed by the miracles that seem to defy all common logic, but even if someone doesn’t believe that those miracles literally took place, the story still serves a purpose and inspires us to grow in faith. Every story in scripture has something to teach, correct or inspire in us, with the end goal of bringing us closer to God.

Common logic would find it hard to accept that Sarah gave birth at the age of 90. God did the impossible for her, and whether a reader takes that particular story literally or not, it is still a lesson for readers to trust God with the seemingly impossible situation in their life. 

God gives us numerous miracle stories in scripture that helps us to reach beyond the limitations of our logic. Instead of getting hung up on how something could have happened, it can inspire our faith to trust God in a way we never have before.

Historians tell us that there was a shorter, more direct route to the promised land from Egypt, after the exodus. Common logic would have taken the shorter route, but God had His reasons for leading them by the longer route. The shorter route would have led them through the coastal land of the Philistines, who were hostile towards the Israelites. Maybe God chose the longer route for them, to avoid conflicts with the Philistines, which His people were not prepared for. Then He parted the sea to show the following generations how much God cares for us.

He knows what we can handle as well as what we need. We may not always understand the reasons for the long, difficult route we are on, but after all the twists and turns of our lives, God has always been looking out for our eternal good.

There are numerous stories in scripture, where God made requests of people that could be considered “illogical”. He brought down the fortified walls of Jericho, not by their use of weapons, but by marching around the city, blowing trumpets, and giving a victory shout. That was when the walls crumbled into the ground. It teaches us that God’s ways exceed our ways when we trust in Him. 

Naaman, a proud military general, asked the prophet Elijah to pray for him to be healed of leprosy. God told Elijah to have Naaman dip himself seven times in the Jordan river. Naaman got a little angry in hearing that strange and illogical advice, but once he did it, he was healed of leprosy.

God speaks to our spirit through scripture, by showing us how He helped others, to help us put away our pride and raise our expectations to trust Him for miracles. 

I know of a man who had permanent nerve injury and a paralyzed arm when his nerves were accidentally severed, after a surgery to remove a tumor located between his neck and shoulder. He went through months of physical therapy, with no improvements.

He maintained a faith filled attitude, and never had any bitterness or anger towards medical personnel. He heard about a healing mass, led by a priest who had a gift of healing. He went to the mass, was prayed for and was miraculously healed. He now has full use of the arm which was once completely paralyzed. When his physical therapist saw him move his arm after being healed, she just wept, which gave him an opportunity to share his faith with her. It’s an amazing example of how God never changes. He is still doing miracles that transcends all logic.

We probably need to remind ourselves, which I need more than anyone, that God exceeds all the limitations of logic. I saw so many brain injured people over the years, working in a Neuroscience department of a hospital. Maybe that’s why it’s hard for me to believe that my son’s brain injury can be healed, but reading the miracle stories in scripture, gives me hope.

God’s ways are above our ways, and His plans and purposes are beyond ours. The stories in the bible are there for a purpose, to inspire us to place our hope in a God who still heals, delivers, and saves us beyond all logical expectations.

Lord, forgive us for any unbelief and help us to believe for the things that seem impossible, and thank you for continuing to do miracles in many people’s lives today. Amen

.…”as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

2 Corinthians 6:10 (RSV)

In 2021 archeologists fully excavated a magnificent public building which dates back to 2,000 years ago. It was next door to the temple in Jerusalem, and would have been the precise location where Joseph and Mary shopped to buy two turtle doves to offer according to Mosaic law. It was the forty day presentation of their son Jesus.

A tourist who once visited this ancient mall, was brought there by a Jewish guide, who told him, “If you’re a Christian, you would want to remove your shoes because this is holy ground for you, since your Messiah was brought here 2,000 years ago.” 

According to Mosaic law, every firstborn male child belonged to God, and the parents were to symbolically buy him back on the 40th day after his birth. This act of buying back was accomplished, by offering a one year old unblemished lamb as a burnt offering. The law in Leviticus 12:8, stated that if anyone was too poor to afford a lamb, they could offer two turtledoves instead. We know that Mary and Joseph were that poor, because they offered turtledoves according to the gospel in Luke 2:24. 

Mary and Joseph may have been poor, but they made many rich. While having nothing, they possessed everything, and their true wealth was all wrapped up in the bundle of humanity, who they carried in their arms, named Jesus.

I can just visualize them shopping in this building filled with shops and vendors. The attached photo was the temple shopping mall of the day, where they purchased their two turtledoves, to offer according to the law of Moses. Mary and Joseph looked like any other family in the mall that day, but they were not like any other family, because of “who” they carried with them. 

God, who is the Lord of the universe, gave many laws to Moses on that awesome Sinai mountain which thundered with smoke and lightning. The divine Presence that thundered on Mount Sinai, was later carried into this shopping mall and the temple that once stood across from it. As a baby, the Lord of life fulfilled His own decree and was presented for a 40 day dedication blessing, with a poor man’s offering of two turtle doves.

God is very intentional regarding numbers throughout scripture, and He chose forty as the number to symbolize all special moments. 

In the Genesis story about Noah’s ark, it rained for forty days and nights. Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai, receiving the commandments. Jesus was tempted for forty days in the desert before starting His ministry. After the resurrection, He appeared to people for forty days, until His ascension. I recently learned that forty Roman soldiers in 320 A.D. were martyred together as a group after converting and professing their faith in Jesus Christ. We observe a forty day period of lent each year, as a time to focus on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

God paid an extravagant price for our salvation. Though He lived with a poor family here on earth, He made us all very rich spiritually. The church of believers is symbolic of a forty day old infant, cherished and held in their heavenly Father’s arms, ransomed, not with turtle doves, but with the blood of an unblemished Lamb. Jesus sees each one of us as worthy to have died for, offering the costliest price of all, His own life.

Lord, we are speechless as we stand on the holy ground of your truth, and this excavation reminds us to be thankful for the great price you paid for our redemption. Amen

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

James 4:14 (ESV)

Someone once said “time is the only currency we spend, not knowing our balance”.  Since we cannot know how much time we have, it’s best to spend our time wisely, making the most of each day. It’s become the quote of wisdom that I now keep within my soul these days. 

Instead of trying to find ways to live longer, adding more days to our life, God may be calling us to add more life to our days. That could mean different things to different people, since each person is called to do according to what God has equipped them to do.

For me, it means asking God to help me make a small but positive impact in other people’s lives, especially those who have no one else in their life to do so. Though I see some disturbing things while visiting a Nursing Facility, I’ve also found many rewarding moments there through simple things like listening to a person’s story or greeting someone with a hug.

I made a new friend there last week. He was just admitted due to heart failure. I will call him Matt, for privacy reasons. He has no wife or children but he has a niece who visits him each week. 

I met Matt while sitting at a table with two other residents. We talked and he began telling me his life story, that he was abused as a child, by his family priest. He ended up in years of psychiatric counseling. It was a bit of a mental and emotional overload to listen to his painful story, but he obviously needed a listening ear that day.

After he openly shared his troubled past, I openly shared my faith with him. I told him God always loved him and knows about everything he has suffered. I encouraged him to keep trusting God, to pursue forgiveness and move forward with the Lord, for better days ahead. He told me that he believes God meant for him to meet me that day, because he had been wanting to renew his faith. 

Matt is trusting God and seeks a deeper relationship with Him, in the time he has left. I was struck by his gentle spirit that seems to transcend so much pain in his past. God surely has something good for him in this stage of his life. I am not a counselor, I can only share my faith and trust God to do the rest.

Meeting Matt reminds me of the saying, “time is the only currency we spend, but never know our balance, so we should invest it wisely.” Life is too short to waste being angry or bitter over past hurts. We don’t need a terminal diagnosis to start adding more life to our days. We will find new ways to add more life to each day, because God keeps bring new people to cross paths with ours.

For me, it happens in moments of showing some small act of kindness to others. The smallest gesture can have long lasting effects on a person. It could mean listening to their story, like Matt’s, or saying something uplifting to a lonely resident at the Nursing home, or simply greeting someone with a hug. Adding life to our days means having an awareness that we are not here for ourselves, but are a part of someone else’s larger plan….God’s.

I have learned so much about life through my weekly visits at the Nursing facility. Who would have thought that a tragic life changing accident would open so many doors to shining God’s light in places where so many live in darkness?

Jon’s life has never been the same since his accident, but neither has mine. It has shown me that every life is a treasure, consisting of time, given to us through the currency of days, months and years. Our role is to find our place in the plan, and spend our currency of time wisely.

Lord, help us to wisely spend the time you have given us, by shining your light and love to those you send to us for a reason. Amen